Nine Circles

Razor sharp death metal with the attitude of the most incendiary hardcore on the planet is what you can expect from the impending debut EP, Incendiary Truths, from Las Vegas, Nevada’s Eyes of Perdition. Seriously, these five tracks and some 17 minutes and change of straight up explosive death metal not only resonates with the desert it comes from but burns hotter than said desert on the hottest day of the year. And, cap it off with one of the most bludgeoning vocalists this side of Capra’s Crow Lotus with Lindsay O. and honestly, this band is untouchable. Her range matches lock step with the music whether it calls for growls, shrieks, barks, or absolutely commanding roars, and with this being just their debut EP, the fiery sky won’t be able to contain them in the future. Just ahead of their EP being available for the masses, we had the chance to pose our Profile questions to Lindsay to find out some backstory on the band and her background as well, so head below to see how it went down and whatever you do, hit those links contained within to grab a copy for yourself. You can thank us later. IT. IS. THAT. GOOD. Trust us.

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How did you first get into playing music, and have you achieved the level of success that you hoped for?

I was always screaming as a child, so I think I naturally had it in me to make noise. It wasn’t a formal thing until I was 17 or so, and started my first real band in San Diego. Growing up, I studied music and actually auditioned for Juilliard, but nothing connected until I realized I wanted to sing/scream.

What’s the most you have ever debased yourself to get your band onto a show, into a magazine or otherwise promoted, covered, and praised? (If you don’t have a story, please tell us any funny/embarrassing story.)

I mean, thankfully I haven’t been approached to do anything ridiculous for a show. If I ever was, I’d be so annoyed, I’d retaliate as publicly as possible. That said, when I was in my first band, while still just 18 years old, I had one venue owner comment on my style of dress (I used to wear the typical San Diego beach-chick attire on stage – denim skirts and tank tops, whatever)  saying that I dressed like a schoolgirl, and that I should keep that up, as if it was some sort of appeal to get more people to the show. Le barf.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in metal and what are some of the worst things happening inside the scene right now?

I really love that anything goes right now. There’s a lot of experimentation going on with different subgenres and artists are crossing over into new territories. It helps evolve the concept of what “heavy” is, and I really appreciate that about what’s happening right now.  

I also think Metal is sort of going through a renaissance of sorts, as it’s echoing the social climate – there’s lots of discussion around inclusion, and a lot of bands and fans are pushing back on some of the themes that would otherwise gatekeep the music. I don’t think that’s a bad thing though; there’s going to be friction during growth processes like this.

The worst aspect, however,  is seeing how many people refuse to evolve, but that goes across the board into greater society as well. Some people just get stuck in narrow mindedness, and it’s mostly sad to me; how small one’s world can be if they’re too fragile to allow others to be a part of the ride.

It seems that now everyone has a passion for some cause and that those people are very open about displaying their passions. This is probably a very, very good (and progressive) thing socially. What are some of the most important issues (social/political) for you and how do you insert those issues into your music?

I think the personal experience is one that I focus on; how to be a steward of kindness in an otherwise indifferent, and often dangerously apathetic world. Kindness to me is not about ignoring the darkness of life. It’s about embracing it, but expanding oneself to understand it, so you don’t become it.

I never want to add to the shit in the world. I want to neutralize it by not judging others. I mean, I don’t agree with a lot of things that go on politically in this country (they don’t call ’em politricks for nothing), I don’t agree with a lot of social norms that are seemingly acceptable (rampant narcissism, for example), but for me, it’s important to embrace my own shadows and darkness, so I don’t project my nonsense on to others. And in turn, I suppose that’s my personal-political philosophy; work on yourself, so that you’re not an asshole to others.

What, or who, got you into metal and how old were you? How did your family take the news?

It evolved from my love for grunge (I’m a 90s kid). I naturally started craving more dissonance and heavier sounds. Soundgarden and Alice in Chains bolstered the hunger. From there, I found Pantera, Anthrax, Bolt Thrower, Cryptopsy, Crisis, the list goes on. I had this inclination for anything that was inherently dark, so I have to say Cryptopsy and Crisis really were the first bands that I found that resonated with me. Family wasn’t around, so I got to make these moves autonomously, thank god.

What advice do you have for aspiring music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Well, I think understanding the creative process is really helpful. I mean, saying you like or don’t like something is fine, but there’s something more meaningful if the writer has some foundational understanding of all that goes into writing music, ’cause it’s not just a song, it’s a mood, it’s a concept. There’s the arrangement, there’s the production, there’s complexity in subtle elements. Most of this stuff is not just thrown together, so having a 360 view of the entire creative process makes for a more meaningful assessment.

What’s your goal? You guys thinking world domination? Maybe saving a continent? Maybe invading one? Any interest in starting a cult? Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share? Whatever it is, please let us know.

I think our music has the potential to undo a lot of bullshit and preconceived notions of what “heavy” is, and if that starts a cult following, I’m SO down. We pretty much do what we want without aligning with any specific ideas of what our sound should be; it’s completely organic, so we are a whole new animal, and I hope that invades and overtakes whatever limiting ideas about Metal exist out there.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Oh man; I really haven’t been listening to Metal lately. When I need to cleanse my palate, I default to big fatty beats, lots of ambient music, jazz, trip hop. Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Jaco Pastorius and Weather Report make it on my playlist quite frequently.

Portishead, Massive Attack, Tricky are all in constant heavy rotation. Tricky is woefully underappreciated. Everything he’s done from Maxinquaye through Pre Millenium Tension, Ununiform, etc. are genius, and weird, and dark. I love it.

Those first two Portishead albums get me through most things in life; also, “The Gentleman and Hizcaine” (Michael Brecker) is a walk through a weird-ass labyrinth everyone should take. The bass alone ticks all the right boxes.

What is the 12-month outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

The EP is coming out August 13th, thereafter, a series of music videos from the EP will be released. We have more recordings in the works, and some tours we’re working on for next year. I’m absolutely stoked.

Summarize your band in exactly one word. 

(fucking) Damaging. (ed: two words absolutely allowed in this case)

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Many thanks to Lindsay and Eyes of Perdition for their time!

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Incendiary Truths will be available August 13 on the band’s Bandcamp page and all major streaming outlets. For more information on Eyes of Perdition, visit their Facebook page.